Costa Barcelona: 13 must do’s! #bcnmuchmore

 

The 6 regions just outside Barcelona –  marketed under the name Costa Barcelona  – are full of things to do for families with kids of all ages. From the many beaches to Catalan culture to its strong heritage of wine tourism, there is something everyone to enjoy. I recently visited with Barcelona Province Council during Costa Barcelona Week to experience some of the highlights. Below are 13 activities not to miss when visiting. Read on and you’ll discover why there is so much more to Barcelona!

 

1. Hang out at a beach 

With a 100-kilometre coastline along the Mediterranean Sea, Costa Barcelona offers lots of beaches to choose from. From the hidden gems around El Garraf, including Cala dels Gegants, Cala Xica and Cala dels Colls, to the more established beach resorts towns of Castelldefels, Calella, Pineda de Mar, Santa Susanna and Malgret de Mar, you are spoilt for choice. Many of these are Blue Flag Beaches, the international standard for quality. Bring a bucket and spade, rent a sun lounger, and enjoy the seaside!

 

 

2. Try ALL the water sports 

All that water gives rise to some of the best water sports in the world. Go to one of the many marinas or water sports resorts, such as ROCROI in Villanova, to try kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding or a banana boat! Don’t miss the Olympic Channel of Catalonia. It’s 15 hectares of watersports fun and where the 1992 Olympic Games were held. There’s so much to do there, including a wake board and water ski area.

 

 

3. Relax at a Roman Spa

From a traditional spa treatment to taking in the local medicinal mineral waters at Caldes de Montibui or La Garriga, people have been coming to this area to be cured by the thermal waters. Caldes de Montbui has some of the best preserved Roman baths in Spain, where the natural hot spring run at 180C!  In the newly renovated El Safareig Baths you try the waters for yourself, and soak in the minerals from water that is more than 10,000 years old! It’s very relaxing.

 

 

 

4. Ride a carriage through Catalan vineyards

Costa’s Barcelona’s special Mediterrean climate cultivates an extensive wine region, especially around L’Alt Pendes and El Maresme. You can visit one of the 765 wineries in Catalonia that produce 180 million bottles of wine and 200 million bottles of cava each year! Many are in stunning locations, such as Cava LLopart, which has panoramic views of the Penedes Wine Region and Montserrat mountains. It’s not just about wine and cava tasting, there’s lots to do including helicopter tours, picnics, hot air balloon rides and carriage excursions through the vineyards. 

 

 

5. Cycle the coastline

100 kilometers of coastline and mild weather make Costa Barcelona a popular cycling destination! There is a wide variety of cycle routes – from the flat coastline to mountainous roads and forests trails. Tour through the Maresme region, know for its farms, market gardens, flowers and fisherman, and cycle through the seaside towns. It’s a healthy and fun way to discover Costa Barcelona.

 

 

6. Mosey around a monastery

Montastery Montesir de Sant Cugat is a Benedictine abbey which dates back to the 9th century and is truly a medieval jewel. Its Romanesque cloisters are very well-preserved and absolutely gorgeous!  Attached is the Sant Cugat Museum which has permanent and rotation exhibits. The cloisters are some of the most beautiful in Europe and not to be missed.

 

 

7. Visit a vintage market

Mercantic is Barcelona’s leading antique and vintage market that also has food and music. Teens will love it, it’s Instagram heaven with a photo op around every corner! The cultural and foodie life revolves around El Siglo bookshop, which has live music and more than 100,000 books for sale, making it the largest used book shop in Spain. Next door is Can Gula restaurant, a cool place to meet friends and enjoy modern Catalan food.

 

 

8. Swing by the Grand Prix Circuit de Catalunya

The Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya hosts 16 events each year, including the famous Grand Prix racing events and other competitions. If you want to visit they offer several opportunities to experience the adrenaline-filled atmosphere. You can participate in behind the scenes tours with access to private areas of the circuit an walk around the facilities and learn about how the Grand Prix works!  You’ll be memorised by the sound of the specialised cars.

 

 

9. Hike Montserrat!

Drive just 40 kilometers north of Barcelona and you’ll be in the Montseny Natural Park in Montserrat, where you can hike to your heart’s content. The unique ecosystem ranges from Mediterranean to Alpine – so you can discover the differences for yourself. Follow the Tordera river, which flows to into the Mediterranean, and if you’re lucky you’ll see some natural treasures like newts, pine martens and jays. The park offers guided walks, which involves kids through games and stories. If you are not already a nature lover – you will be after this!

 

 

10. Build a Human Castle!

Catalonia has a fascinating culture which you can experience year round, especially at many of the region’s festivals. Perhaps most intriguing are Castells, “human castles” where the community comes together to make the castle base (pinya) with human tier upon tier until it is finally topped off with a child raising her arms in victory. It’s UNESCO recognised, and takes strength, balance, courage and lots of good sense. It’s mesmerizing to watch. Many of the castell organisations offer workshops where you can experience it yourself.

 

 

11. Go to Kauai

No, I’m not sending you to Hawaii, but to Kauai Gava Mar, a new gastronomic space with an island feel. You can bath in the sunshine, listen to rumba music and feast on Catalan cuisine. Plus there is an Instagram opportunity around every corner. Kauai is just 20 minutes from Barcelona at Gava beach and definitely worth a visit.

 

 

12. Strike a poolside Yoga pose

Wellness is BIG is Costa Barcelona, witnessed by the many spas and health clubs in the area. Many offer day passes, where you can work out or try a yoga class by the pool. We went to Wellness Accura Gava Mar and did a downward dog alfresco!

 

 

13. Try the local cuisine!

The UNESCO listed Mediterranean diet is in full force in Costa Barcelona, fuelled by “kilometre zero” produce that includes strawberries from Mareseme (they are a bit smaller, but very sweet!), Gava Asparagus, Munt cherries, Valles Oriental tomatoes, El Prat artichokes and El Ganxet beans. The three Michelin-starred Restaurant Sant Pau is in the coastal town of Sant Pol de Mar, but perhaps the best meals are at local restaurants trying Catalan specialties like Xato, a winter salad with a nut dressing, white beans and sausage or Coca de Llavaneras, a traditional pastry filled with custard and topped with pine nuts and sugar. 

 

 

 

Where to stay: Hotel Gava Mar

Located right on the beach in Gava, AC Hotel Gava Mar has 69 rooms, many with sea views. You can easily access the city’s historic centre, Gava Museum and Botanic gardens, the Minas de Gava Archaeological Park and Barcelona is only 20 minutes away! Take a dip in the pool, walk on the beach or rent bicycles. It’s a classy and relaxing environment.

 

 

IF YOU GO

Barcelona Province Council Barcelona is Much More! https://www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/en/

AC Hotel by Marriott Gava Mar C/ dels Tellinaires, 33 – 35, 08850 Gavà, Spain
+34 936 45 15 10 https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bcnga-ac-hotel-gava-mar/

Wellness Accura Gava Mar Carrer dels Tellinaires, 39-41, 08850 Gavà, Barcelona, Spain +34 936 45 15 00 https://clubsaccura.es/es

Kauai Gava Mar Carrer de Calafell, 25-27, 08850 Gavà, Barcelona, Spain +34 936 45 11 88 http://www.kauaigava.com

Cava LLopart Carretera de Sant Sadurní a Ordal, Km 4, 08739 Els Casots, Barcelona, Spain +34 938 99 31 25 http://www.llopart.com

Mirador de les Caves Ctra. d’Ordal a Sant Sadurní Km.3.800, 08739 Els casots, Barcelona, Spain +34 626 03 06 21 http://www.miradordelescaves.com

ROCROI – Activitats Nautiques Moll de Ponent, s/n, 08880 Vilanova i la Geltrú, Barcelona, Spain +34 938 16 03 51 http://www.rocroi.com/en

Camping Bon Repòs Passeig Marítim, s/n, 08398 Santa Susanna, Barcelona, Spain +34 937 67 84 75 http://www.campingbonrepos.com

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Camino Mas Moreneta, 08160 Montmeló, Barcelona, Spain http://www.circuitcat.com/es/

Sant Cugat Monastery Plaça d’Octavià, 1, 08172 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain +34 936 75 99 51 https://www.visitsantcugat.cat/que-veure/monestir-de-sant-cugat/

Mercantic Av. de Rius i Taulet, 120, 08173 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain +34 936 74 49 50 http://www.mercantic.com

Can Gula Av. de Rius i Taulet, 120, 08173 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain +34 934 88 43 85 http://www.cangula.es

 

Disclosure: My trip to Costa Barcelona was provided by Barcelona Province Council for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.